Muscadine Heritage Wine Trail welcomes Over 400 in first Year

Three Johnston County wineries and one neighboring winemaker in the triangle have partnered to create the Muscadine Heritage Wine Trail. Hinnant Vineyards & Winery in Pine Level along with Enoch Winery of Benson, Gregory Winery in the McGee’s Crossroads Community and Adams Winery located along Hwy 42 West, have joined forces with the Johnston County Visitors Bureau to form the Wine and Agri-tourism Marketing Committee to launch this new trail.

Three Johnston County wineries and one neighboring winemaker in the triangle have partnered to create the Muscadine Heritage Wine Trail. Hinnant Vineyards & Winery in Pine Level along with Enoch Winery of Benson, Gregory Winery in the McGee’s Crossroads Community and Adams Winery located along Hwy 42 West, have joined forces with the Johnston County Visitors Bureau to form the Wine and Agri-tourism Marketing Committee to launch this new trail.

With four wineries located within 30 minutes of each other, the wineries were already cross marketing to visitors and knew that working together to form a trail would have great appeal.

“It has been amazing working with the other wineries and the Johnston County Visitors Bureau, stated Wesley Dilles of Hinnant Winery. “I have been perusing this collaboration for years and to see it become a reality is just great!” Additional activities of the Wine and Agri-Tourism Committee will include special events, promoting the vineyards for weddings, and a possible wine festival.

“They first approached the Visitors Bureau for some input, but we quickly agreed that visitors that seek out our vineyards would also enjoy learning about our other attractions, festivals and agri-tourism venues in the county. We were on board to act as the marketing arm of this partnership with developing the website and brochure,” stated Donna Bailey-Taylor, Executive Director of the Visitors Bureau.

The “determined” wine trail participant could easily complete the trail in one day, but they can take up to six months and then receive the Wine Trail t-shirt. To complete the trail, visitors must enjoy a paid wine tasting option at each winery, and purchase one bottle from each winery per person. Each winery will validate the Wine Trail stamp located on the back of the trail brochure and the last winery stop on the trail will provide visitors with their t-shirt.

A general course of travel for the wine trail might be from Hinnant’s in Pine Level (I-95, Exit 97) to Enoch’s outside of Benson along NC Hwy 50 S, visitors will find the distance to travel around 30 minutes. From there to complete the wine trail, visitors can head to Gregory’s Winery, I-40, Exit 319 or travel back through Benson, Hwy 50 N (travel time 30 minutes). Adam’s Winery is located just minutes from Gregory, take Hwy 50 N and turn left on Hwy 42 West. (travel time 15 minutes).

“It is my hope that through this wine trail our guests will gain knowledge, respect, and a craving for the muscadine grapes and the wines that they produce. Each of us has a different agricultural heritage that we can share with our guests. This wine trail is the perfect opportunity for each wine trail participant to discover all of the products and experiences that each winery has to offer,” continued Dills.

The Muscadine Heritage Wine Trail website offers visitors more information on the winemakers’ heritage, articles on the health benefits of Muscadines, educational resources through cooperative extension, information on hosting special events at the wineries, recipes and a photo gallery. Check out the site to learn more about what Johnston County has to offer related to agri-tourism such as farm tours, farm markets, museums, festivals, and the arts.

Author: Donna Bailey-Taylor

Donna Bailey-Taylor started as the Director of the Visitors Bureau in August 1996, and continues to love her job and promoting the county. Donna has deep roots in the county as her father's family is from Benson and her mother was born in Clayton. Donna has big dreams for the county in the area of tourism development, hoping the Mountains to the Sea Trail will be completed between Clayton and Smithfield and the new Visitor Center/Museum at Bentonville Battlefield will happen. There are many tourism development projects in the works and it's an exciting time for tourism growth in the county. Keep in touch via Donna's blog!